How FIFA Makes Money From the World Cup—and How Host Countries Benefit Meta description

Discover how FIFA earns billions from broadcasting, sponsorships, tickets and licensing, and learn how World Cup host countries benefit from tourism, jobs, infrastructure and global exposure.

The FIFA World Cup is much more than a football tournament. It is one of the largest entertainment, media and business events in the world. Every four years, billions of fans watch national teams compete, international brands spend heavily on advertising, and supporters travel across the world to attend matches.

Behind the excitement, the World Cup operates through a powerful financial system. FIFA earns money by selling media rights, sponsorship packages, tickets, hospitality services and licences. At the same time, host countries hope to benefit from tourism, job creation, infrastructure investment and international attention.

However, hosting a World Cup does not automatically guarantee profit. The final benefit depends on how well the country plans, controls spending and uses new infrastructure after the tournament.

How Much Money Does FIFA Make?

FIFA manages its finances through four-year World Cup cycles. Revenue is usually much higher during the year of the men’s World Cup because that is when major broadcasting, ticketing and sponsorship income is recognised.

FIFA’s original budget for the 2023–2026 cycle projected total revenue of approximately $11 billion. The organisation expected television rights to generate around $4.26 billion, marketing rights about $2.69 billion, licensing approximately $669 million, and hospitality and ticket sales around $3.1 billion.

FIFA later revised its budget and estimated that revenue for 2026 alone would reach approximately $8.91 billion. Broadcasting remained the largest source, followed by hospitality and ticket sales at around 34% and marketing rights at approximately 20%.

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Image: A full football stadium during a World Cup match
Alt text: A packed FIFA World Cup stadium showing thousands of football supporters

1. Television and Broadcasting Rights

Broadcasting rights are one of FIFA’s most valuable products.

Television networks, streaming platforms and media companies pay FIFA for permission to show World Cup matches in different countries. A broadcaster may purchase exclusive rights for one country or an entire region.

These companies are willing to pay large amounts because the World Cup attracts an enormous audience. Broadcasters can then earn money by selling advertising during matches, attracting new subscribers or increasing the value of their sports packages.

FIFA can divide broadcasting rights by country, language, platform and format. Traditional television, online streaming, mobile highlights, radio and public-viewing rights can all be sold through different agreements.

The expansion of the 2026 tournament to 48 teams also creates more matches and therefore more broadcasting content. The tournament is being hosted across Canada, Mexico and the United States, giving FIFA access to major commercial markets and favourable viewing times for many international audiences.

2. Sponsorship and Marketing Rights

Global companies pay FIFA to connect their brands with the World Cup.

Sponsors may receive permission to use FIFA’s name, tournament logo, official symbols and other protected branding in their advertising. They may also receive stadium advertising, digital promotion, ticket allocations and special access to FIFA events.

Different sponsorship levels are available. The largest global partners generally receive the strongest commercial rights, while tournament sponsors and regional supporters receive more limited packages.

For major brands, the World Cup offers something difficult to find elsewhere: one event watched by people from many countries, cultures and age groups.

FIFA benefits because sponsorship agreements can be sold years before the tournament starts. This gives the organisation important revenue even during the preparation period.

3. Ticket Sales and Hospitality

Millions of supporters want to experience the World Cup inside the stadium. FIFA earns money through regular match tickets and premium hospitality packages.

Hospitality packages can include better seating, private suites, food, drinks, entertainment and access to exclusive areas. These premium experiences are usually much more expensive than normal tickets and can generate significant revenue from companies and wealthy supporters.

For the 2023–2026 cycle, FIFA originally budgeted a record $3.1 billion from hospitality rights and ticket sales.

The larger 2026 format, with more teams, matches and host cities, provides FIFA with more opportunities to sell tickets and hospitality experiences.

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Image: Supporters entering a World Cup stadium
Alt text: International football fans arriving at a stadium during the FIFA World Cup

4. Licensing, Merchandise and Digital Products

FIFA also earns money by licensing its intellectual property.

Companies pay for permission to produce official World Cup products such as shirts, footballs, toys, video games, collectibles, accessories and souvenirs. FIFA may receive a fixed payment, a percentage of sales or both.

Official merchandise is especially valuable because supporters want products connected to their favourite teams, players and World Cup memories.

FIFA can also earn from digital products, online content, gaming partnerships, archive footage and other commercial services. Although these areas may generate less than broadcasting, sponsorship or ticketing, they help FIFA earn money throughout the entire four-year cycle.

How Do Host Countries Benefit?

FIFA receives much of the tournament’s direct commercial revenue, but host countries can benefit through wider economic activity.

1. Tourism and Visitor Spending

The most immediate benefit is tourism.

International supporters spend money on hotels, restaurants, transport, shopping, entertainment and local attractions. Domestic fans may also travel between host cities and spend money during their trips.

A FIFA-supported socioeconomic study estimated that 6.5 million people would attend the 2026 tournament. It projected that the competition could contribute up to $40.9 billion to global GDP and support almost 824,000 full-time-equivalent jobs worldwide. These are projections rather than guaranteed results, but they show the possible scale of the event.

Local businesses located near stadiums, fan zones and tourist areas may experience a major increase in customers during the tournament.

2. Jobs and Business Opportunities

Preparing for a World Cup requires workers in construction, security, hospitality, transportation, event management, technology, cleaning, media and customer service.

Hotels may hire more staff. Restaurants may require additional workers. Transport companies may increase their services. Local suppliers may receive contracts for food, equipment, printing, technology and temporary facilities.

The OECD explains that major global events can create jobs, encourage investment, support tourism, grow trade and provide opportunities for local businesses. However, these benefits must be deliberately planned rather than simply expected.

Some jobs are temporary, but workers can still gain experience, training and professional contacts that may help them find future employment.

3. Infrastructure Development

Host countries often improve airports, roads, railway systems, public transport, stadiums, telecommunications and public spaces before a World Cup.

When these projects are planned properly, residents can continue using them long after the tournament ends. Better transport may reduce travel times, connect neighbourhoods and encourage future business investment.

The event can also push governments to complete projects faster because they must be ready before the opening match.

However, infrastructure creates a true benefit only when it meets the long-term needs of local people. Building an expensive stadium with no future use can become a financial burden instead of a valuable legacy.

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Image: A modern train or public transport system near a football stadium
Alt text: Transport infrastructure developed to support a major international football tournament

4. International Exposure and National Branding

For several weeks, the host country appears on television screens around the world.

News organisations show its cities, landmarks, culture, food and people. This exposure can work like a large international advertising campaign.

A successful tournament may improve the country’s reputation and encourage future visitors, investors and business events. It can also create national pride and bring communities together.

The International Monetary Fund has noted that the indirect advertising and image benefits of major sporting events can be valuable, although they are difficult to measure accurately.

The Risks of Hosting a World Cup

Hosting the tournament also brings major costs.

Governments may need to spend heavily on security, transport, stadium renovation and public services. Construction projects can exceed their original budgets. Tourism estimates may also be too optimistic because some normal visitors avoid host cities due to congestion and higher prices.

Research discussed by the IMF warns that mega-events can create poor results when there are cost overruns, weak planning, underused venues or infrastructure that does not serve the public after the event.

Therefore, the most successful host is not necessarily the country that spends the most. It is the country that uses existing stadiums, controls public costs, supports local businesses and creates infrastructure that residents will continue using.

Final Thoughts

FIFA makes money from the World Cup mainly through broadcasting rights, sponsorships, tickets, hospitality and licensing. Its global brand and massive audience allow it to sell these rights for billions of dollars.

Host countries benefit differently. Their opportunity comes from visitor spending, jobs, infrastructure, business activity and worldwide exposure.

But the World Cup is not guaranteed free money. The financial outcome depends on planning, transparency and long-term use of public investment.

When managed responsibly, the tournament can become more than one month of football. It can introduce a country to the world, improve important services, create opportunities for local businesses and leave a legacy that continues long after the final whistle.